SS 11

1. Political Parties

2. In General
Parties play a major role in society and democracy
They offer choice, and choice = democracy
Each party has ideas, policies, and beliefs
(platforms)

3. Functions
1. A way for people to work together
2. Voters see a particular set of principles (ideology)
3. Gives organization to the political process
4. Recruiting practices
5. Legitimizes candidates
6. Acts as a filter to limit gov’t ability

4. Federal Parties in Canada

5. Bloc Québécois
Created in 1990 as a result of the failure of the
Meech Lake Accord
Believe that Québec should separate from Canada
and become a sovereign state.
Because Quebec has the 2nd
largest pop in Canada,
they can take advantage of regionalism to gain seats
in parliament.

6. Liberal Party
Supports individual freedom and the pursuit of
equality or opportunity for all people.
Favours the expansion of social programs (such as
health care and education)
Believes in the value of multiculturalism and is
sympathetic to the hopes of French Canadians.

7. Conservative Party
Supports a balance between a balanced budget and
supporting social programs.
Believes in the equality of all Canadians, and in the
freedom of the individual
Supports both English and French as the official
languages of Canada
Supports free enterprise – the freedom of private
businesses to operate competitively, for profit, and
without gov’t controls.
Supports free trade – arrangements where tariffs or
other barriers to the free flow of goods and services are
eliminated.

8. New Democratic Party
Believes that gov’t should intervene in certain
important aspects of the economy – against the
privatization of gov’t run Crown corps.
Favours welfare measures – EI, welfare payments
Believes that the gov’t should pay for health care and
education, and that all Canadians should have equal
access to these services regardless of their ability to
pay.

9. Other Parties to Note
Green – focus on environment and social issues
Western Canada Concept Party – born out of
regionalism, for Western separation from Canada.

11. Federal Ridings in Vancouver Island 2011

12. 2015 New Ridings

13. 2008 Federal Election Results
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canadavotes/ridings/british_c

14. Provincial Ridings
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/bc-election/electi